Sachin, Shastri and Fletcher helped me improve my technique post-England tour in 2014, admits Virat Kohli

Whilst his average against England in the longest format might be 49.06 but it was never the same story when Virat Kohli faced the English attack in 2014. In 2014, the Delhi batsman averaged a paltry 13.40, behind the likes of Ravindra Jadeja with his technique well deciphered by the English bowling attack. James Anderson was a constant menace for Kohli, which led him to an overhaul in his shape and technique. 

"One thing stood out, right hip opens or closes too much you now you are in trouble. Keep that hip position nice and side-on and balanced so that you can play through both off side and leg side with equal control is very very important," he said.

"He (Shastri) told me one thing, to stand outside the crease. He explained the mindset behind it. 'You should be in control of the space you are playing in and not giving opportunities to the bowler to get you out.’ So I started practising that the same year and results were unbelievable,” he added. 

Kohli also credited the former Indian coach Duncan Fletcher, whose amazing understanding of the game, helped him improve his technique. After developing one of his trademark forward press, the English coach had doubts over his ability to play short deliveries, which was of trouble for Kohli during his initial days. This conversation opened up Kohli’s thinking from whereon, he started working closely on his technique.